Description
For extreme sun exposure, we prefer a hiking shirt rated to UPF 50, and that’s where the REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie comes into play. This is what we would choose for activities like climbing a Cascade volcano in spring, backpacking through high altitude plateaus in the San Juans of Colorado, traversing a glacier in the Alps, or hiking in the Altiplano Desert of South America. Price: $50 UPF Rating: 50 Weight: 7.5 oz Fabric: 92% Polyester, 8% Spandex Pros: Great value. Highest UPF rating. Comfortable. Cons: Slightly warmer & less breathable than lower UPF fabrics. Scooped hood exposes side of face, blows off in wind Construction & Features When all day sun is amplified by high altitude or reflecting off of water, snow, or ice, we recommend an REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie. It’s our pick for best sun shirt for extreme UV. This sun hoody is soft and pleasant to wear, constructed with 92% polyester and 8% spandex, so it’s stretchy and accommodating to all types of movement. It is very breathable and quick drying, though slightly less so than our top pick, the Outdoor Research Echo Hoodie. As far as features, the hood has an internal drawstring to cinch down around your face. We love a hiking shirt with thumb loops, and we like how these fit and feel on the hand. While it’s not manufactured with recycled fabric, it is bluesign® approved, so the manufacturing minimizes harm. Verdict This is a great sun shirt for hiking in high UV exposure, and we give the REI Co-op Sahara Shade Hoodie our seal of approval.
